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CommerceMarketing & Communications

Advertising Manager

Advertising Managers lead creative and media strategy to promote products or services for brands and agencies across India. They combine market research, creative direction, client management and media buying to execute campaigns across TV, print and digital channels. Career paths include mass communication, marketing (MBA) and creative/design backgrounds.

Salary range
₹4–35 LPA
Job growth
high
Work type
Hybrid
Paths to entry
3 routes

Actions for your grade

  • Take up subjects like English, Economics and Business Studies if available
  • Build a small portfolio of creative work (posters, short videos, social posts)
  • Attend workshops in photography, basic design (Canva) and public speaking

Your complete path from Grade 10 to Advertising Manager

Every step you need — from now to your first job.

UG in Mass Communication / Journalism
Arts

Great for hands-on reporting, media planning and copywriting roles; internships at agencies help entry.

  1. Now
    Arts Stream
  2. Exams
    CUET UG
  3. Degree
    BA (Mass Communication) / BMM / BJ (3 years)
  4. Colleges
    Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication · Xavier Institute of Communications · Indian Institute of Mass Communication
  5. Career
    Advertising Manager
BBA / B.Com → MBA (Marketing)
Commerce

MBA with marketing opens strategic, client-facing managerial roles; CAT is the common MBA entry exam.

  1. Now
    Commerce Stream
  2. Exams
    CAT
  3. Degree
    BBA / B.Com (3 years) → MBA (Marketing) (2 years)
  4. Colleges
    IIM Ahmedabad · IIM Bangalore · IIM Calcutta
  5. Career
    Advertising Manager
Design / Creative Route
Arts

Strong visual/creative skills help lead creative teams; combine with marketing experience for managerial roles.

  1. Now
    Arts Stream
  2. Exams
    NIFT Entrance or NID DAT or UCEED
  3. Degree
    B.Des / Degree or diploma in Design (3–4 years)
  4. Colleges
    National Institute of Design · National Institute of Fashion Technology · IIT Bombay
  5. Career
    Advertising Manager

Entrance exams

ExamEligibilityDifficultyWindow
CUET UG
NTA
Class 12 (any stream)MediumMay-Jun
NIFT Entrance
NIFT
Class 12 (any stream)MediumFeb
UCEED
IIT Bombay
Class 12 (any stream)HardJan
CAT
IIMs
Bachelor's degree 50%+Very HardNov
NID DAT
National Institute of Design
Class 12 (any stream)HardJan (Prelims) + Apr (Mains)

Where to Study

Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.

Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication
Xavier Institute of Communications
Indian Institute of Mass Communication
IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Bangalore
IIM Calcutta
National Institute of Design
National Institute of Fashion Technology
IIT Bombay
IIT Bombay
Central GovtMumbai, Maharashtra
JEE Advanced + JoSAA
Recommendations only — verify eligibility, seat availability, and admission rules from official portals before applying.